Delegation of 13 Overseas Government Officials Visits Hong Kong to Explore Development Opportunities under "One Country, Two Systems" Arrangement

Delegation of overseas government officials visits Hong Kong to learn about its strengths and developments

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29), deepening its understanding of the city's advantages and development opportunities under the "one country, two systems" arrangement.

The visit was arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which invited government officials from 13 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, namely Bolivia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Guyana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Peru, Republic of the Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Suriname.

The visit aims at enhancing exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and these countries, as well as expanding the "circle of friends" of Hong Kong.

During the delegation's stay in Hong Kong, it met with the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing;the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; and the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, to exchange views and learn more about Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying strong support of the country while maintaining unparalleled international connectivity under "one country, two systems", as well as its dual gateway role between the Chinese Mainland market and the global market.

It also met with the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai; the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; and the Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Philip Har, as well as representatives of a number of relevant institutions. The delegation also visited the International Organization for Mediation, the Hong Kong Science Park and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Through these meetings and visits, the delegation learned about the city's latest developments and opportunities in education, finance, trade, legal services, innovation and technology, as well as arts and culture.

The delegation also visited Shenzhen to learn more about the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the delegation touring the Hong Kong Palace Museum at the West Kowloon Cultural District. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation, Professor Teresa Cheng (centre), with the delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the delegation visiting the Hong Kong Science Park with the Deputy Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Philip Har (first left). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the delegation meeting with the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan (fourth right), to exchange views on strengthening communication and co-operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the delegation meeting with the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan (second left), to explore financial co-operation opportunities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the delegation meeting with the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai (first right), to learn about the unique advantages of Hong Kong's post-secondary education. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong (front row, fifth left); the Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan (front row, second right); the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan (back row, fifth left); the Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong (back row, fourth right); the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam (back row, second left); and the Government Economist, Ms Irina Fan (front row, second left), with the delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC (front row, centre), with the delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A delegation of 13 overseas government officials completed its visit to Hong Kong today (May 29). Photo shows the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing (fifth right), with the delegation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (July 16) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-found images